Preventive analgesia with intravenous paracetamol for post-cesarean section pain control

ABSTRACT

Effective pain therapy after cesarean section is essential for parturient comfort and to allow early ambulation to facilitate care of her infant. This study evaluated the analgesic effect of preventive 1gr intravenous paracetamol on postoperative pain and analgesic consumption during the 24 hours after cesarean section. One-hundred American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] 1 or 2 status parturient scheduled for elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. Patients received 1gr iv paracetamol into 100 ml normal saline [study group; n=50] or normal saline alone [placebo group; n=50] 20 minutes before the end of operation. Pain scores were lower in the study group in the Post anesthesia care unit [PACU] [p<0.001] and up to 4h after operation [p<0.001]. Cumulative analgesic consumption was lower in the study group [p<0.001]. Preventive administration of 1gr iv paracetamol reduces the intensity of pain in the PACU and until 4h after operation and analgesic consumption following cesarean section